POPULAR British violinist Tasmin Little will lead a musical celebration in Warwickshire this month.

Tasmin will direct Stratford’s Orchestra of the Swan in Spring Sounds, a festival of music-making over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend starting on May 28.

Spring Sounds will mix orchestral concerts and chamber music recitals with discussions, fun family events and opportunities to meet players, soloists and composers in and around Stratford.

Tasmin, whose mum hails from Stratford, says: “It’s always a great pleasure to return to my family’s home town to direct and perform in this rapidly developing festival weekend.”

Orchestra of the Swan artistic director David Curtis adds: “We’re looking forward to a weekend of great music – embracing familiar and well-loved works alongside new work.”

The opening concert will see Tasmin performing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the Orchestra of the Swan at Stratford Civic Hall on May 28.

Other highlights include a day of chamber music at Stratford’s elegant Town Hall, a concert at Compton Verney’s Adam Hall, impromptu concerts in shops and cafes around the town and premieres of three new works - the third instalment of Roxanna Panufnik’s Four Seasons - Indian Summer; Ivor McGregor’s Symphony No2 and Joanna Lee’s The Chronicles of Archy.

The festival ends on May 31 when the chamber musicians of Swan Unbuttoned launch their latest CD at a cabaret evening at Stratford Civic Hall.

The festival will also mark Kenneth Woods’ first appearance as principal guest conductor. Details on 01789 207100.

* THE Orchestra of the Swan will be in action at Bedworth Civic Hall tomorrow when their programme will include Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with violinist David Le Page as the soloist. David Curtis will give a pre-talk at 6.15pm.

COVENTRY-BASED pianist Marina Kuznetsova has taken over from Sally Aitcheson as accompanist for the City of Coventry Male Voice Choir.

Music lovers can hear her play at a concert being given by the choir at St. Mary’s Church, Fillongley, tomorrow.

The two-hour concert includes solo performances by Marina and second tenor David Williams.

A choir spokesman says they wanted to thank Sally for 10 years of “wonderful service.”

They add: “Marina has played at many large venues and on cruise ships, including QE2 and the new Queen Mary 2.

“She’s also supported top performing artists such as Dame Shirley Bassey.”

Men interested in joining the choir should contact 01926 850891.

CLASSICAL favourites and show tunes will ring out in the 14th century church of St John the Baptist in Coventry city centre tomorrow.

They will be part of spring concert being given by the Heart of England Cooperative Concert Orchestra.

The programme includes popular classics by Rimsky-Korsakov and Mussorgsky as well as songs from Gilbert & Sullivan and music from stage and screen.

The Heart of England Cooperative Concert Orchestra is a community orchestra made up of people of all ages and musical abilities.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets will be available on the door. Money raised will go towards the renovation fund for the church in Fleet Street, on the corner of Spon Street.